STAFF REPORT
PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
______________________________________________________________________
DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director VIA: Grace Coronado, Administrative Officer
BY: Emin Yusufov, Administrative Analyst I
SUBJECT: Approval of an Agreement with Ricardo Cerezo for the McCambridge Recreation Center Mural Public Art Project and Amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget
______________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve an Agreement by and between the City of Burbank (City) and Ricardo Cerezo (Artist) to design and paint a mural at the McCambridge Recreation Center Gym.
2. Amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 -24 Adopted Budget to appropriate $5,000 from revenue account 001.ND000.30015.1033 ( Public Art Fund ) to expenditure account 370.PR21A.70003.0000.23433 (McCambridge Recreation Center Gym Mural Project).
BACKGROUND
McCambridge Recreation Center (Center) is nestled within the 17.4-acre McCambridge Park, located at 1515 North Glenoaks Boulevard. It features a gymnasium, community rooms, recreation classes, and lobby games. The Center hosts diverse community-based programming, including senior meal services.
In 1976, the City's Bicentennial Committee proposed that two murals be painted in the Center. Volunteers from the Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center (formerly known as the Creative Arts Center) were chosen to paint two murals which remained on display throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The Center’s gymnasium was featured in the 1985 hit movie “Back to the Future” and served as an evacuation shelter during the infamous Northridge Earthquake. In the early 1990s, the mural was painted over due to the paint chipping.
In July 2018, the Art in Public Places Committee unanimously approved the allocation of $10,000 from the Public Art Fund for the installation of a mural at the Center. In
2 September 2020, Parks and Recreation staff initiated a Call for Artists and invited qualified artists to submit a proposal for the design, fabrication, and installation of a public art mural at the Center. Artists were provided with the opportunity to create unique murals that would be prominently displayed inside the gymnasium’s walls.
In FY 2019-20, City Council approved the McCambridge Recreation Center Gym Mural Project (Project).
In December 2021, a five -member Site Specific Selection Committee (Committee) was formed and tasked with reviewing the proposals, conducting interviews, and selecting the final concept design for the public artwork at the Center . The Committee was comprised of one representative from each of the following groups: Art in Public Places (APP) Committee, Burbank Cultural Arts Commission, Park and Recreation Services Board, and two Parks and Recreation Department staff.
In January 2022, following the Call for Artists and interview selection process, local artist Ricardo Cerezo, was selected by the Committee.
After several revisions to the concept design, the Project received its final approval from the Committee in May 2023.
DISCUSSION
At the August 7, 2023, APP Committee meeting, Mr. Cerezo presented his final concept design. Following a thorough Q uestion and Answer session, the APP Committee unanimously approved the concept design and recommended that staff increase the Project’s budget by $5,000, for a grand total budget of $15,000. This recommendation was in light of the increase in costs due to supply chain issue s, rising material and labor costs, and inflation. The final budget includes the Artist's fee, materials, supplies, plaque, equipment, insurance , and other related expenses to design and paint the final piece (Attachment 1).
Mr. Cerezo is a local artist w ith extensive experience beautifying utility boxes in various cities around Los Angeles County and the Bay Area , including four in Burbank. He has also worked on a large -scale mural project at the Technological University of Panama, where he created thematically coordinated murals to promote the innovative spirit of the institution and create a memorable college environment to attract students and guests (Attachment 2).
Having a long track record of working on public art projects, Mr. Cerezo is particularly familiar with the procedures and processes of public organizations and possesses the ability to communicate with City staff in an effective and efficient manner.
Design Concept
Mr. Cerezo’s concept design for the McCambridge Recreation Center includes two murals comprised of five individual pieces, which would be installed on the gymnasium’s north and south side walls, each area measuring approximately 54 feet by 10 feet and 48 feet by 8 feet, respectively (Attachment 3).
3 The Artist’s vision was to develop an artwork that would welcome visitors to the Center and inspire them to reflect on their connection with the community.
Mural
Mr. Cerezo named the mural design Burbank – Past, Present, and Future. It incorporates a ser ies of allegorical images related to Burbank’s past, present, and future. In the background, a geometric abstraction represents the dynamics of the City, constantly evolving, with the shape of the Verdugo Mountains, an essential element of the City’s panorama. In the center, the letter “B” sparkles, mirroring the oversized “B” overlooking the City in the Verdugo Mountains.
Colorful and inclusive silhouettes were used throughout the mural design to reflect on various activities that take place at the Center and, by extension, the entire City of Burbank. These images are an inclusive and diverse representation of the community.
Images were tailored to ensure that all groups had their space in the mural and will serve as a vibrant backdrop to countless activities at the Center.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval to accept the Mural has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and as such, is not a “project” subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal. Code Regs § 15378. The Mural can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environ ment and therefore is exempt of the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 14 Cal Code Regs § 15061(b)(3).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is currently a balance of $10,000 (370.PR21A.70003.0000.23433) in the Project Account. Staff requests a ppropriation of an additional $5,000 from the Public Art Fund (001.ND000.30015.1033), into the Project account (370.PR21A.70003.0000.23433). The Project is anticipated to be completed by Quarter 1 of 2024 and cost $15,000. If any funds are remaining, the balance of funds will return to the original funding source 370 (General City Capital Projects) . Routine maintenance costs will be paid by the Public Art Fund , (001.ND000.30015.1033), which has a current balance of $1,594,328.18. Upon execution of this Agreement, the Artist will begin the necessary preparations to produce the mural at the Center.
CONCLUSION
Public art continues to be a significant element in the City’s image and brand. It creates engaging public spaces that bring people together, enrich their lives, and build community. It reflects the community's confidence, vitality, and optimism by encouraging participation and interaction with public spaces.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Agreement
Attachment 2 – Sample Artwork Images and Resume
Attachment 3 – Renderings